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Pursuit ends with arrest of 47-year-old man

Police said the incident with suspect Albert Meidel Jr. happened at 1:04 a.m. after officers were sent to a residence in the 1900 block of Ashwood Drive. According to a press release, the suspect had allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and was holding her against her will.

After officers arrived, Meidel took off at a high rate of speed in his car. Officer Jose Cruz caught up with the suspect and tried to make a stop. Meidel sped off, leading officers on a short pursuit that lasted just over two minutes, police said.

Police reported Meidel drove at speeds up to 90 mph on residential streets and ran two stops signs at more than 50 mph. The pursuit ended when Meidel pulled back into his driveway and ran from the vehicle. He was quickly captured by police and arrested.

The suspect’s girlfriend told police Meidel assaulted her and would not let her leave the house. When a witness told Meidel that she had called 911, the suspect walked outside to leave the scene, and the victim ran to a neighbor’s house for safety. Officers then arrived and the suspect fled, police said.

Meidel was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of assault, false imprisonment and evading law enforcement.

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